Is "Christmas" a dirty word?

[tinroofrusted]

I have never noticed until this year, how much tv commercials, advertisements, etc go out of thier way to avoiding saying "Christimas" and instead say "the holiday" or holiday gifts. Some places won't even call their Christmas trees, Christmas trees.

What's the deal? Has this been going on forever, or is this something new that I am just now picking up on?

[MomIcantFindmy]

Without starting any debate here. I think it is because our country is made up of people with all different kinds of beliefs. When an merchant wants to sell something they want to appeal to the largest base of customers. When using the word "holiday" they are more inclusive of all.

Merchants started doing it a while ago however it has become more prevelant in the recent years.

Funny, when I hear the word "holiday" I think of vacation.

[Cassiopeia]

It's one of my pet peeves! I HATE it.......HATE everything that is "PC."

[tinroofrusted]

Without starting any debate here. I think it is because our country is made up of people with all different kinds of beliefs. When an merchant wants to sell something they want to appeal to the largest base of customers. When using the word "holiday" they are more inclusive of all.

Merchants started doing it a while ago however it has become more prevelant in the recent years.

Funny, when I hear the word "holiday" I think of vacation.

Without offending anyone, I think it's sad that they will try to appease a minority to take away from the majority.(Over 80% of Americans will celebrate "Christmas".)

[magyar123]

The whole argument about this started a few years ago when Walmart executives prohibited cashiers/other floor employees for saying "Merry Christmas" to customers. It became "happy holidays". More and more outfits have now jumped on this bandwagon.

[charmedmom]

We only had to say Happy Holidays one year at my wal-mart. Last year they told us we could say what we wanted. Well as long as it was nice and polite

[robivi3]

Remember, "Good is now evil, evil is now good". We live in that day. Just going a little deeper.

[tinroofrusted]

Remember, "Good is now evil, evil is now good". We live in that day. Just going a little deeper.

Robivi, I sometimes think that you and I share the same brain and thought process.

I had that very thought today when they were telling on the news that Angelina Jolie won some award for "person of the year" or something like that.....

"Good is now evil and evil is now good."

[HRx]

This whole "Christmas" thing has many interesting sides to its argument...I wouldn't let "political" sensitivey/awareness impact ones fondess towards the Christmas. It's actually refreshing to see the United States finally begin to acknowledge and respect the fact the this country is in fact a cultural mosiac, and not a melting pot.

[chpxiii]

This whole "Christmas" thing has many interesting sides to its argument...I wouldn't let "political" sensitivey/awareness impact ones fondess towards the Christmas. It's actually refreshing to see the United States finally begin to acknowledge and respect the fact the this country is in fact a cultural mosiac, and not a melting pot.

Agreed.

We'll be celebrating "Christmas" simply because we're of the faith that does so. But seriously, America is not only made up of Christians. What if you only saw adverts for Hannukah or something else?

"Christmas" is not a dirty word - quite simply it's not the ONLY word to describe this time of year. And I wish that those who celebrate Christmas would get off their high horse about it.

[JollyGG]

December also has Hannukah, Kwanza, Yule, Winter Solstice, New Years, Ramadan, and many more.

I have actually always prefered to say happy holidays or seasons greetings, becuse this time of year is rich with many different peoples belifes.

[whatamess]

Since I live in NJ, Ive been use to this for years. The population is Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh, and a growing number of new age/unitarian/agnostics. Oddly enough, very few to none of those groups ever complained. It is always the atheists. Since i wondered why they dont just ignore it all, I asked a very close long time friend who is a professor of religion and atheist why they are so offended. They feel any public display is shoving it into everyones face.....I still say ignore it like I ignore things I find annoying, offensive or gross. The old "Dont like it turn the channel"
I just bought cards for my husbands customers and had to root endlessly for cards that would not offend one or the other. I bought some lovely faith based cards for those I know share my faith. Everyone else got Happy Holidays winter scenes....
We are lucky we live in a place that we can still have open faith. I say that as a devout Christian too. As long as they dont ban public displays of faith and freedom to worship all is good. I worry that day could come soon. Until then have fun. Just dont blow a fuse with all those lights!!
WAM

[Bandit]

Some places won't even call their Christmas trees, Christmas trees.

What's the deal? Has this been going on forever, or is this something new that I am just now picking up on?

It is only over the last decade this has happened with severity. There were never many problems in the old days to have a Christmas tree at school & to sing carols for the traditonal School play.

Today, if you are singing a Christmas carol in the wrong place or if you do not get a permit, you can be shut down & arrested.
I suppose you can hum the song but don't sing the words...pretty stupid if you ask me.

It is also going around & around in the judicial system & every so often they go in & fight to get the word Christmas put back where it is supposed to be.

I have also seen them actually go down & have ALL Christmas decorations removed at certain public places mostly because one pinch grinch or selfish scrooge does not like the religion that goes with it.

People need to chill out & let everyone do whatever their religon usually does (if peaceful) & it does not matter what religion it is.

[Bandit]

Oddly enough, very few to none of those groups ever complained. It is always the atheists.
WAM

There was one jewish man who put up a big stink about the christmas tree in a large airport here, maybe this was two years ago. They took down the entire christmas tree because of that one jewish man. Then the man felt really bad for complaining & told them he was sorry & the airport put the Christmas tree back up.

[whatamess]

There was one jewish man who put up a big stink about the christmas tree in a large airport here, maybe this was two years ago. They took down the entire christmas tree because of that one jewish man. Then the man felt really bad for complaining & told them he was sorry & the airport put the Christmas tree back up.

Half of the people here I know are Jewish. I'd say 50% put up Christmas trees!! One close friend calls it her Hannakuh bush..LOL!!!
At least the guy felt bad enough for his idiocy to say sorry. I would never complain about the menorahs I see everywhere. I think they are quite beautiful. My daughter was coloring dreidels and kwanza pictures at school too. Big deal. People need to get over themselves.
WAM